A person’s primary care physician (PCP), or doctor, provides primary care, including routine checkups, screenings, treatments, prescriptions, and preventive health services. A doctor of medicine (MD) and osteopathic doctor (DO) are two types of PCPs. Physician assistants and nurse practitioners also provide primary care. The physician assistant works under the supervision of a PCP and usually provides the same types of health services. A nurse practitioner possesses advanced nursing education and can provide many of the same services as a PCP. PCPs sometimes refer patients to specialists, who have extra training and experience with certain types of diseases and disorders (Figure 2.11). Within the US government, the Public Health Service of the US Department of Health and Human Services provides leadership, funding, and oversight of the healthcare system. Healthcare professionals work in diverse settings. In inpatient facilities, patients reside in the facility while they receive comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, surgery, therapy, and rehabilitation. Some examples include hospital intensive care units, nursing homes, and addiction recovery programs. Outpatient facilities treat patients who do not need to stay in a healthcare facility. Most healthcare in the United States is delivered in outpatient settings. Examples of outpatient settings include ● ● doctors’ offices and private healthcare clinics that provide checkups, physical therapy, day surgery, counseling, addiction treatment, rehabilitation, and eye and dental care ● ●● hospital emergency rooms ●● urgent care or walk-in clinics ●● health clinics and counseling centers in the school or community and ● county public health clinics. primary care physician (PCP) healthcare professional who provides routine checkups, screenings, treatments, prescriptions, and preventive services specialists healthcare professionals who have additional training in treating certain types of diseases and disorders inpatient facilities healthcare facilities in which patients reside for the duration of treatment outpatient facilities healthcare facilities that patients visit for treatment and then leave Figure 2.11 This figure lists common types of specialists and the care they provide. Which specialist is educated and trained in bone, joint, and muscle conditions? Heart disease Cardiologist Skin conditions Dermatologist Diseases and disorders of the digestive system Gastroenterologist Diseases and disorders of the brain, nerves, and spinal cord Neurologist Cancer Oncologist Bone, joint, and muscle conditions Orthopedist Medical conditions of children from infancy through adolescence Pediatrician Mental health conditions Psychiatrist Breathing conditions and lung diseases Pulmonologist Diseases of the joints, such as arthritis Rheumatologist Medical conditions requiring surgery Surgeon Conditions of the urinary system and male reproductive system Urologist Medical Specialists Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 2 Health and Wellness Skills 51